Gerarda (Gerry) Dewild Hermanussen

Gerarda Hermanussen, Gerry to all, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Easter morning, a week before her 96th birthday. She was born to Martina and Hendricus DeWild in a small rural town in The Netherlands (Holland) at a time when infant mortality was high. Her mother prayed to St. Gerard, the patron saint of mothers and newborns to protect her baby, and named her Gerarda in his honor. Of 14 children, she was one of seven who lived. She grew up on the farm with her three brothers and three sisters and attended school, receiving an associate degree in business. After World War II, Gerry decided to travel and see more of the world. She immigrated to America in 1952 and settled in Wisconsin. On one visit back to Holland, Gerry was introduced to John Hermanussen, also a Dutch immigrant living in America (North Dakota) who was, coincidentally, visiting his hometown just a few kilometers away. They met and, upon their return to the US, courted from afar until they married in 1958 on her 34th birthday. Gerry and John made their home in Lincoln, Nebraska where they both worked at the University of Nebraska. In time, they began their family. After the birth of their first child, Francis John, the next pregnancy ended in miscarriage. Forever reminded of her own mother’s history of losing children, she prayed to St. Gerard and promised that if she could have more healthy children she would name them in his honor. Her faith was strong and they went on to have three more children: Maria Gerardina, Michelle Geralyn, and Suzanne Gerarda. With four little mouths to feed, John took a new job in Lakewood, Colorado and the family moved in December 1972. Gerry was a stay at home mom who was very devoted to her family. She was a talented seamstress and enthusiastically applied her skills to her family and home. She was very supportive of her kids’ many activities and determined that they get a good education to live the American dream for which she and John had left Holland. With the kids in school, Gerry studied to be a realtor and her gregarious nature led her to be a top listing agent in the Green Mountain area where they lived. When John retired, they moved to Sun City, Arizona where Gerry was able to indulge her hobbies. She became an accomplished lawn bowler, winning many Senior Olympics medals individually and as a team with John. She was also an adept card player including, Canasta, Bridge, and Poker as well as other strategy games like Rummikub. Gerry also became an Oma (grandmother) nine times over as her children got married and started families: Brent and Bryce Hermanussen (John and Cheri); Jackson, Marlee and Sam Marcus (Maria and Brian); Zachary and Erica Sawicki (Michelle and Patrice); and Jacob and Jarrod Rivera (Suzanne and Rich). In 2005, John and Gerry moved to Broomfield, Colorado to be closer to the kids and grandkids. Though Gerry herself was quite healthy, John started to have health issues and she became his loving caregiver until he passed in 2011. They were married 53 years. In 2014, Gerry moved into the Meridian, a senior community where she thrived with all the social activities, games, and lovely friends. Gerry remained active and healthy until the last year when she developed a heart condition that would eventually lead to her passing. Just as she was devoted to her children her whole life, her children were devoted to her, in her final months, with her day and night so she wouldn’t be alone. A testament to the strong family bonds she forged, her children were able to give her strength in the end. Gerry was born on Easter eve and passed away on Easter morning, a holy day of rebirth and ascension into heaven. She lived a life of strong faith and now lives in eternal peace in heaven. Funeral mass will be held on July 10, 2020 at 2pm at Our Lady of Fatima Church in Lakewood. Celebration of Life immediately following the service.